World Cup Fantasy | Matchday 5 | Captain Picks
Some of the best players in the world showed their fantasy credentials once again in the round of 16 stage, particularly from an attacking perspective. Kylian Mbappe ($11.5m) was the star of the show for France yet again, scoring twice and setting up another as the reigning world champions overcame Poland 3-1 in Doha. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi ($10.5m) netted his third goal of the tournament and his first in the World Cup knockout stage in Argentina’s 2-1 win against Australia. However, his fantasy ownership will have been left frustrated at teammate Lautaro Martinez’s wastefulness in front of goal late on, which cost Messi at least one further assist.
Whilst Denzel Dumfries ($6.0m) didn’t keep a clean sheet, his attacking capabilities came to the fore, the right-wing-back gaining two assists and a goal as Netherlands defeated United States. Players such as Harry Kane ($11.0m), Richarlison ($7.5m) and Ivan Perisic ($7.5m) were also on the scoresheet, with England, Brazil and Croatia advancing through to the quarter-finals. With that in mind, we now turn our attentions to Matchday 5 and highlight three premium captaincy candidates from a World Cup fantasy perspective, alongside a differential pick.
PREMIUM OPTIONS
Kylian Mbappe ($11.5m) vs England (December 10th)
Whilst this is almost certainly set to be Kylian Mbappe’s biggest test at the World Cup, it’s difficult to back against the French superstar right now. With five goals to his name so far, Mbappe looks well placed to win the golden boot and the 23-year-old also boasts two assists to his name. Across the four matchdays so far, he has racked up scores of 9, 13, 1 and 15 fantasy points, game-changing numbers when considering the fairly low-scoring nature of World Cup fantasy.
France face England in a blockbuster of a quarter-final and against right-back Kyle Walker, Mbappe faces his sternest challenge with the Man City star one of the only defenders in the world capable of matching Mbappe for pace. However, form can take you a long way in tournament football and anyone who doesn’t captain the top-scorer at this World Cup so far heading into Matchday 5 will be taking a huge gamble.
Lionel Messi ($10.5m) vs Netherlands (December 9th)
Whilst he may have two goals less than Mbappe at present, Lionel Messi will no doubt have his eye on the golden boot himself and such is his importance to Argentina offensively, he should gain more chances to score across Matchday 5, which sees Lionel Scaloni’s side take on Netherlands. Three goals, one assist and 28 fantasy points so far represents an impressive return, but anyone who has watched Argentina’s games across this World Cup will know that Messi could and should have had even more than that.
Messi has scored the opening goal in three of Argentina’s four matches played, which highlights how the team looks to him to conjure up the magic needed to break down their opponents initially. There are no easy games in the quarter-finals of a World Cup and Netherlands will no doubt be well-drilled defensively. But if anyone can steal the show, Messi can and with a minimum fantasy score of 5 points across the last four matchdays, he appeals massively as a World Cup fantasy skipper.
Neymar ($10.5m) vs Croatia (December 9th)
After missing two of Brazil’s three group games with an ankle injury sustained in Matchday 1, Neymar ($10.5m) is back and in ominous form ahead of Matchday 5 and the quarter-finals. Not only did he score from the penalty spot, Neymar also picked up an assist as Brazil eased past South Korea by four goals to one, Neymar accumulating 9 World Cup fantasy points in total.
Brazilian fans and fantasy owners of Neymar will be hoping that he can replicate the high level of performance offensively against Croatia in the quarter-finals. Head coach Tite afforded Neymar somewhat of a free-role in their last game and is likely to do the same this time round. Having penalties under his domain also increases his fantasy appeal and those looking for a fantasy captain should seriously consider Neymar.
DIFFERENTIAL OPTION
Goncalo Ramos (£6.5m) vs Morocco (December 10th)
Talk about better late than never! After having not started a single game across the group stage, nor picked up a single World Cup fantasy, Goncalo Ramos ($6.5m) announced his arrival at the tournament in some style during the round of 16. Starting ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo against Switzerland, the Benfica forward bagged a memorable hat-trick and an assist, accruing a whopping 23 fantasy points in total as Portugal romped home by six goals to one.
After such a performance, it’s hard not to see Ramos starting again on Matchday 5 as Portugal face Morocco in the quarter-finals. As it stands, his fantasy ownership is still extremely low, so those managers looking for a cheap differential captain to bring into their teams should look no further, although it would be sensible to wait until the starting line-ups are confirmed before doing so.
